Well-known British rapper Stormzy (Michael Ebenezer Owou Jr.) has been banned from driving for 9 months for using a mobile phone while driving. Wimbledon Magistrates Court made the decision on Thursday.
Stormzy’s success in music and failure in road safety:
31-year-old Stormzy is a famous rapper in the grime genre who brought the genre to the commercial mainstream. His album “Gang Signs and Prayer” won Album of the Year at the 2018 Brit Awards. He has also won Best Male British Solo Artist twice.
However, the court expressed displeasure over his behavior in driving the vehicle on the road. District Judge Andrew Sweet at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court called his actions “dangerous and irresponsible”.
Record of previous offenses including mobile use:
Stormzy pleaded guilty to using a mobile phone while driving a Rolls Royce on the streets of London in March. In addition, he drove his Lamborghini Urus with illegal tinted windows in 2023, prosecutor Alice Holloway said. The car’s windows let in only 4% of the light, which is well below the legal limit of 70% light transmission.
He has also been accused of exceeding the speed limit several times. Stormzy was absent in court, but entered a written statement and pleaded guilty to the mobile phone use charges.
Penalty and driving ban decision:
His defense lawyer, Peter Samiczki, said Stormzy accepted responsibility for the mistakes and apologized for them. The court fined him 2,010 pounds (about $2,500) and increased his license points.
The court banned Stormzy from driving for 9 months.
Road safety and responsibility:
A popular personality like Stormzy breaking the rules can cause serious harm to other drivers and pedestrians on the road. It is hoped that this will convey the message to his fans to be a responsible driver.
Stormzy’s contribution to the music industry is huge, but this incident once again highlights that it is every citizen’s responsibility to obey the rules of the road.